Skip a Coop if Off-Duty Driving?

The reality of the job is unfortunately quite at odds with your opinion, though you're completely correct.

 

It is a trucker myth that a drIver must have hours available on their 14 or 70 in order to use PC. There is nothing in the regulations stating that. In fact, the driver can be completely out of hours and still use PC. The only time PC is unavailable according to the regulations is if the driver is OOS. Your situation is based on company policy.

Likewise, there is nothing preventing a driver from crossing state lines on PC. For example, the driver's "enroute lodgings" could be in one state and the restaurant they go to could be some miles away in another state.

 

Keep in mind that PC is not in the regulations, nor is it a rule. FMCSA has only entered an "explanation" as to it's use and need. FMCSA has left the carriers in charge of whatever "policies" the carrier wishes to enforce given "general yet nonspecific" guidelines to follow.

 

PC is not limited to Intra-State movement or to the 14 hour window.

However, if the operation is not commuting back and forth to the "normal work reporting location" or to "restaurants in the vicinity of enroute lodgings" it does not fall within the limits of PC.

 

This is a prime example of the problems to drivers/carriers PC has. Each State or jurisdiction, also different LEO agencies all have different parameters and definitions. CA and OR follow the "unladen" rule, where WA considers the trailer as "part of the load", i.e. to use PC in WA you must be bobtail, but in CA and OR you can be with trailer empty.

Normally, the term "normal work reporting location" is used and accepted for the 100 mile radius "local" crews and especially for drivers not requiring a logbook. Here Scalemaster uses the term for PC, also he leaves out the actual verbiage of "short distance" that is present in the Federal Guidelines. His use of "restaurants in the vicinity of enroute lodgings" is used as an example within the guidelines, but not as an absolute advisory.

IF a driver intends on using PC, that driver should really be on top of the definition used in any area he/she will be traversing.

 

You are in a Commercial Status, until the time that you begin promoting the awareness your Not-For-Hire....pretty sure.

 

Has anyone heard of a driver chased for passing by a scale bobtail? Just curious if they bother.

 

My GUESS is that the authorities might chase you down to check for HOS, along with making sure that there are no discrepancies or malfunctions on your vehicle. It still is a CMV.

God bless every American and their families! God bless the U.S.A.!

 

I like to work less than 12 and it suits me well. My theory is 12 on 12 off. I still manage to run 3k a week and have some ME time. You guys running "balls to the wall" need to get a life...